An encoded image and methods for encoding and decoding encoded images. In one example, an encoded image may include at least one identifiable mark (also referred to herein as an anchor image); a triggering image that indicates the presence of the encoded image; and at least one encoded element adjacent to the identifiable mark, the at least one encoded element positioned at a location relative to the identifiable mark, the location representing a value. In one embodiment, a method to form an encoded image may include the operations of selecting a value, the value having one or more digits; based on at least one or more of the digits, selecting an anchor image; selecting at least one element for positioning proximate to the anchor image; forming the image using the anchor image and the at least one element; and based on at least one or more of the digits, forming a characteristic of the at least one element. A method of decoding an encoded image may include, in one example, receiving the encoded image for decoding, the encoded image comprising a decoding trigger, an anchor image, and at least one encoded element; recognizing the decoding trigger within the encoded image; recognizing the anchor image within the encoded image; selecting a decoding process from a plurality of decoding processes based on the anchor image; and decoding the encoded image using the selected decoding process.